Roy Keeps His Focus, Blanks Wild

After spending the day in court, Patrick Roy didn’t seem distracted in goal for the Colorado Avalanche.

Roy made 23 saves, and Joe Sakic and Shjon Podein scored second-period goals Tuesday night as the Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild, 2-0, at Denver.

Earlier Tuesday, Roy pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief for a dispute with his wife, Michele, Oct. 22. If convicted, Roy faces up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A conviction also could be grounds for deportation to Canada.

“Today, I was really focused and I was moving well,” Roy said. “The four days off were perfect for me and the guys in front of me did a really super job.”

Roy improved to 8-2-2 with his first shutout of the season and 49th of his career. Only Ed Belfour of the Dallas Stars, with 51 shutouts, is ahead of Roy among active goalies.

New York Rangers 4, Edmonton 3--Brian Leetch scored two goals to reach 800 points, and Radek Dvorak scored a late power-play goal at New York as the Rangers ended the Oilers’ four-game winning streak.

New York Islanders 2, Nashville 1--Brad Isbister scored two goals, and John Vanbiesbrouck made 32 saves for the Islanders at Uniondale, N.Y.

Around the League

Wayne Gretzky and Pat Quinn will lead the Canadian hockey team in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, Canadian media reported. The Canadian Hockey Assn. will announce the appointments today, according to the Canadian Press and sports network TSN’s Web site. Both cited anonymous sources. Gretzky will be director of player personnel and might also be general manager for the Olympic team, and Quinn will be the coach, TSN’s Web site reported. . . . The Florida Panthers signed veteran left wing Greg Adams to a one-year contract and acquired Anders Eriksson from the Chicago Blackhawks for Jaroslav Spacek in a swap of defensemen.